The city was founded on May 1, 1956, when the neighbouring four towns of Minoshima, Miyazaki, Yasuda and Miahara merged to form a single city. The main industries in Arida and the surrounding areas are oil refining and fishing. In addition, Arida is famous as one of the largest producers of mikan or Japanese mandarins in Wakayama Prefecture. Arida's sister city in the US is Delano, California.